Abstract: A development system and method are provided for testing proximity sensor interfaces, such as a capacitive switch assembly which may be employed in an automotive vehicle. The system includes software routines stored in memory for operating a proximity sensor interface having a plurality of sensors, and a data log including user outputs of the proximity sensors. The development system includes a replicator for replicating the proximity sensor interface based on the software routines and the data log and generating outputs of the proximity sensor interface to determine performance. The system further includes an analyzer for processing the test data for proper activation of the proximity sensor interface and generating an output indicative of the test results.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system is described for diagnosing an operating condition of a conductive particulate matter sensor. The sensor has a substrate with electrical resistance that varies with temperature and two electrodes on the substrate adapted to collect particulate matter between the electrodes, thereby establishing an electrically conductive path through collected particulate matter between the electrodes that can be detected by measuring electrical resistance between the electrodes, Relect. The diagnosis is performed by heating the substrate in the area between the electrodes and using the resistance between the electrodes to determine detecting whether contamination is present on the surface of the sensor. Heat may be maintained on the sensor to attempt to burn off a detected contaminant, and a subsequent resistance reading may be used to determine if the contaminant was successfully burned off.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes built in self-test circuits that allow a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor, while the magnetic field sensor is functioning in normal operation.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a method includes receiving from a remote system a binary decision diagram (BDD) representing data streams from sensors, an input, and a first hash code, transforming the received BDD to a second arithmetic function by performing the arithmetic transformation on the received BDD, calculating a second hash code from the second arithmetic function and the input, and if the first hash code equals the second hash code, then indicating that the received BDD is uncorrupted data, else indicating that the received BDD is corrupted data.

Abstract: A method for predicting sensor output values of a sensor monitoring system, includes providing a set test input values to a system of sensors, and one or more known sensor output values from the sensor system, where other sensor output values are unknown, calculating, for each unknown sensor output value, a predictive Gaussian distribution function from the test input values and the known output sensor values, and predicting each unknown output ym by integrating over a product of the predictive Gaussian distribution function and a conditional Gaussian distribution of the unknown output sensor values with respect to the test input values and other unknown output sensor values. A mean and covariance of the predictive Gaussian distribution function are determined from a training phase, and a hyperparameter of the conditional Gaussian distribution are determined by another training phase.

Abstract: A method for modulating multiple-instruments and multiple-sensors using an electronic device. The electronic device controls an instrument to measure the working parameters of an object, and controls a sensor to detect the working temperature of the object. By comparing the working parameters against a predefined range, and comparing the working temperature against a predefined temperature value, the electronic device determines whether the instrument and the sensor need to be modulated. If any of the working parameters is not within the predefined range or if the working temperature is greater than the predefined temperature value, the electronic device controls the instrument and the sensor to be modulated by using a modulation transfer function and a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A system is disclosed having a storage, a communications module for interacting with a medical measurement device, an analysis controller, and a test module that allows for the testing and evaluating of decision-support algorithms. A method for testing decision-support algorithms is disclosed having the steps of receiving into storage of a ruggedized, compact computer at least one decision-support algorithm; detecting with a communications module the initiation of a vital-sign monitoring session; receiving and storing vital-sign information into storage by the communications module; pushing the stored vital-sign information by an analysis controller to a test module running the stored at least one decision-support algorithm; and providing at least one output from the decision-support algorithm to at least one of a database and a display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing the plausibility of output signals (u1, u2) of a resolver (21), by means of which an angular position of two elements (3-7) of a machine (R) can be determined in relation to each other.

Abstract: For an A/F sensor 10 equipped with a sensor element 11, a cover 12 that covers the sensor element, and a heater 13 that raises the temperature of the sensor element 11 and provided to an exhaust system of an engine, an ECU 1A has timing estimation means for estimating a timing of vaporizing and disappearing of cover condensed water that is condensed water generated inside and outside of the cover 12 and determining whether an estimated timing has come, and heater control means for supplying a current to the heater 13 so that the temperature of the sensor element 11 becomes equal to a temperature at which the sensor element 11 does not crack even if the sensor element 11 is moistened until the estimated timing estimated by the timing estimation means at which the cover condensed water vaporizes and disappears comes.

Abstract: A fan speed testing system includes a voltage regulating module, a rotational frequency collecting module, and a rotational frequency converting module. The voltage regulating module receives an AC voltage signal and converts the AC voltage signal to a variable first DC voltage signal to adjust a rotational speed of a fan. The rotational frequency collecting module detects the rotational speed of the fan and outputs rotational frequency signals. The rotational frequency converting module receives the rotational frequency signals and determines the rotational speed of the fan according to numbers and period of time level voltage switching in the rotational frequency signals.

Abstract: The present solution provides a new tool to facilitate the tracking of experiments and development of data-driven algorithms. The tool may obtain algorithms, parameters and data sets to execute one or more experiments to produce an outcome. The tool may identify differences between two or more experiments, such as differences in parameters, algorithms, or data sets to facilitate identifying the optimal combination of algorithms or parameters.

Abstract: A method and a system for identifying failures in an aeroengine. The system includes: a mechanism defining a set of standardized indicators representative of operation of the aeroengine; a mechanism constructing an anomaly vector representative of a behavior of the engine as a function of the set of standardized indicators; a mechanism selecting in an event of an anomaly being revealed by the anomaly vector a subset of reference vectors having directions belonging to a determined neighborhood of a direction of the anomaly vector, the subset of reference vectors being selected from a set of reference vectors associated with failures of the aeroengine and determined using criteria established by experts; and a mechanism identifying failures associated with the subset of reference vectors.

Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to testing hybrid positioning systems, including systems that rely on MEMS sensors. In particular, it relates to methods and devices for configuring and running tests of hybrid positioning systems.

Abstract: A data processing device acquires a first parameter value of a hardware component, and calculates a first prediction value of the first parameter using a prediction algorithm. If a difference of the first prediction value and the first parameter falls within a deviation range, the first parameter value is determined as a real value and is stored. Otherwise, the device acquires a second parameter value of the hardware component that follows the first parameter value, and calculates a second prediction value of the second parameter value. If a difference between the second prediction value and the second parameter value falls with a second deviation range, the first parameter value is determined as a real value and is stored. Otherwise, the first parameter value is determined as a false value and is abandoned.

Abstract: Imaging systems, imaging device analysis systems, imaging device analysis methods, and light beam emission methods are described. According to one aspect, an imaging device analysis method includes receiving initial light comprising a plurality of wavelengths of light, filtering some of the wavelengths of the initial light forming a plurality of light beams comprising different wavelengths of light, after the filtering, optically communicating the light beams of the different wavelengths of light to an imaging device, receiving the light beams using the imaging device, and analyzing the imaging device using light, wherein the light beams comprising the different wavelengths of light are emitted beams after the receiving.

Abstract: In a method for testing sensors of a server, the method obtains serial numbers of each of the sensors from a board management controller (BMC) of the server using an intelligent platform management interface (IPMI) service of the server, and modifies lower and upper critical values to generate first and second system event logs even during normal working of the components subject to sensing. The method records a confirmed and tested status of each of the sensors if the first system event log and the second system log are right.

Abstract: Systems and methods to initiate a verification test within a flow meter via a flow computer are disclosed. An example method includes communicating, via a flow computer, a request to a flow meter to initiate a verification test of the flow meter. The example method also includes retrieving diagnostic data from the flow meter. The example method further includes logging a result of the verification test in a log of the flow computer, the result based on the diagnostic data.

Abstract: A method and system related to phased array ultrasonic systems identifies faults in individual element on a regular basis. The method and system are based on a simple approach of calculating energy levels in response signals from each individual element and then identifying any discontinuities or unexpected drops in energy levels sensed during a typical phased array operation, by comparing responses for individual transducer elements to the group response.

Abstract: A field device maintenance apparatus includes a field device connection unit that communicates with a field device whose operation contents are defined by parameters; a work-information acquisition unit that acquires parameter attribute information including whether or not the individual parameters are displayable and work instruction information that shows work contents; a display unit that displays one or more of the parameters of the field device depending on whether or not the individual parameters are displayable according to the parameter attribute information; an operation accepting unit that accepts a changing operation for changing one or more of the parameters displayed by the display unit; and an operation-history-information recording unit that records a history of operations accepted by the operation accepting unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method improves the fault tolerance of a rocket or missile guidance system which includes a resonant sensor. When improper initialization is detected, the resonant sensor is reinitialized, repeatedly if necessary, until normal operation is achieved. Improper initialization is detected by comparing data from the guidance system with pre-specified physical limits to roll, pitch, yaw, and/or other features of the flight scenario. Embodiments can also detect a fault condition due to an error signal from a “Built-in-Test” (BIT) module. The initialization sequence initiated by the invention can be identical to the power-on sequence, or it can be a separate, reinitiating sequence. Subsequent resets are initiated as needed, for example until the burn of the rocket fuel and the associated vibrations have ceased and the resonant sensor has been successfully initialized.

Abstract: A system for measuring forces from a rotating object is presented. In one aspect, the measurement system has a plurality of strain sensors that are configured to attach to the sidewall of a tire of a vehicle and measure the strain on the sidewall. The system can also have a data processor to relate the strain on the sidewall to the normal force exerted on the driving surface from the tire.

Abstract: Electrical power system sensor devices, electrical power system monitoring methods, and electrical power system monitoring systems are disclosed according to some aspects of the description. In one aspect, an electrical power system sensor device includes sensor circuitry configured to monitor a characteristic of electrical energy which is conducted using an electrical conductor of an electrical power system, an attachment assembly configured to position the sensor circuitry with respect to the electrical conductor wherein the sensor circuitry monitors the characteristic of the electrical energy which is conducted within the electrical conductor of the electrical power system, and wherein the sensor circuitry is electrically isolated from the electrical conductor of the electrical power system.

Abstract: A sensor fixture can be affixed within a wall and powered using the same cable along which data signals are transmitted. A data cable is attached to the fixture, and power for a sensor is isolated from the data signals. The sensor may be used in conjunction with a building automation system in order to provide environmental inputs, such as from a motion sensor, a light sensor, and an audio sensor. The sensor may also be combined with LED lights for a combined fixture that lights when sensing motion or other environmental changes, for example.

Abstract: A method for inspecting the strips of a touch panel is disclosed. The method includes providing a first signal to a first driven first strip of a plurality of first strips and generating a plurality of continuous first differences according to signals on a plurality of second strips; providing the first signal to the first driven first strip and a second driven first strip of the plurality of first strips and generating a plurality of continuous second differences according to the signals on the plurality of second strips; and determining if there is a broken second strip between the first and second driven first strips based on the continuous first and second differences. Herein, the plurality of first and second strips intersect each other on the touch panel to form a plurality of intersecting regions.

Abstract: A device for transferring keyboard commands from a user to an electronic apparatus or machine. An arm intended to be carried by the user as a headset, is provided with signal sensors responding to the presence or pressure of the user's tongue by emitting an electric signal or impulse. A signal unit registers and converts signals from the sensors into corresponding keyboard commands which are then input to the electronic device or machine. The device thus basically works as a keyboard where the signal sensors constitute keys that can be operated solely by the tongue, i.e. without involving the hands.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for creation of discrete corrosion defects with a wide range of diameter to depth aspect ratios for painted test standards. Also provided are methods for use of those test standards to characterize the corrosion under paint detection threshold, statistical reliability, and accuracy of NDI and/or NDT techniques including but not limited to flash thermography, ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, microwave testing, shearography, and infrared testing.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor control apparatus (10) obtains a correction coefficient for calibrating the relation between oxygen concentration and an output value of an oxygen sensor (20), when a fuel cut operation of an internal combustion engine (100) is performed. The apparatus includes average output value calculation means; inter-fuel-cut average output value calculation means; and correction coefficient calculation means.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for monitoring operating conditions of turbine machine components (18, 19, 22, 23) that comprise one or more non-contact sensors (24, 31) that detect an operating condition of a turbine component (18, 19, 22, 23) over a defined region of the component. In addition, point sensors (50) are provided that detect and monitor the same operating condition within the defined region. Data generated from the point sensor (50) is used to calibrate the non-contact sensor (24, 31) and the data generated by the non-contact sensor (24, 31).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for wireless crack detection and monitoring are disclosed. According to one system, a crack detector is affixed to a surface of a material for detecting a crack in the material. In response to detecting a crack, a crack indicator is generated, indicating the existence of the crack. A mote wirelessly communicates the crack indicator to an external device. The mote may also store multiple crack indicators in local memory before being downloaded to the external device. In other embodiments, the mote may time-stamp the crack indicator for indicating a time when the crack was detected. Additionally, the mote may associate other information with the crack indicator such as temperature and acceleration information.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for detecting irregular sensor signal noise. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for determining reliability of a sensor. The method may include receiving signal samples associated with a sensor; receiving an expected standard deviation value (508) associated with the sensor; estimating noise standard deviation of the signal samples (504) based at least upon a difference between the received sensor samples and predicted sensor signal values; and outputting a noise confidence value based at least in part on a first ratio between the estimated noise standard deviation and the expected standard deviation value.

Abstract: One apparatus embodiment includes an electronic assembly, equipped to sense one or more changes in an environmental condition. The assembly includes a logic circuit coupled to: one or more environmental sensors, memory that provides data storage, and a wireless communicator. The logic circuit is configured to perform time measurement, perform environmental measurement with the one or more environmental sensors, store time-stamped environmental data in the memory, and communicate with particular other electronic assemblies, equipped to sense one or more changes in an environmental condition, via the wireless communicator. The logic circuit is also coupled to a power source that provides power to at least one of the logic circuit and the wireless communicator.

Abstract: A method and system for validating machine performance of a mass spectrometer makes use of a machine qualification set of samples. The mass spectrometer operates on the machine qualification set of samples and obtains a set of performance evaluation mass spectra. The performance evaluation spectra are classified with respect to a classification reference set of spectra with the aid of a programmed computer executing a classification algorithm. The classification algorithm also operates on a set of spectra obtained in a previous standard machine run of the machine qualification set of samples. The results from the classification algorithm are then compared with respect to predefined, objective performance criteria (e.g., class label concordance and others) and a machine validation result, e.g., PASS or FAIL, is generated from the comparison.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a device for measuring electricity usage, comprising: means for remote disconnection via power line communication; means for detection of electricity theft; means for tamper detection; and means for reverse voltage detection. In another aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for multi-channel metering of electricity, comprising: (a) a meter head operable to measure electricity usage for a plurality of electricity consumer lines; (b) a transponder operable to transmit data received from the meter head via power line communication to a remotely located computer, and to transmit data received via power line communication from the remotely located computer to the meter head; and (c) a load control module operable to actuate connection and disconnection of each of a plurality of relays, each relay of the plurality of relays corresponding to one of the plurality of electricity consumer lines.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes built in self-test circuits that allow a self-test of most of, or all of, the circuitry of the magnetic field sensor, including self-test of a magnetic field sensing element used within the magnetic field sensor, while the magnetic field sensor is functioning in normal operation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for increasing the availability of displacement/position measuring systems on the basis of potentiometers with a slider tap in a closed control loop, the controller of which is formed by a microcontroller which is supplied with the position of the slider via an analog/digital converter. At least part of the sensor range of the potentiometer is scanned on request by presetting a sequence of manipulated variables and an available control loop variable which represents the position value at a high sampling rate outside process tasks is recorded, to determine the exact position of a defective slider position of the potentiometer by evaluating the variable. The reference variable of the control loop is overloaded in a defined manner within the process task such that the defective slider position is passed over during the displacement/position measurement and an intact slider position is reached.

Abstract: A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, degradation of a particulate matter sensor is indicated after a temperature of a substrate of the particulate matter sensor exceeds a threshold temperature and an output of the particulate matter sensor is below a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for improving a position sensing system which measures a rotating object is presented. In one embodiment, the method outputs the position of the rotating object while the object is rotating, and the method follows an external command on the sensor output line when the object is not rotating to output information other than the position information.

Abstract: A game controller includes a magnetic field generation unit to be attached to a tongue of a first user, and a control signal output device to be provided outside a mouth of a second user for outputting a game control signal according to a position of the magnetic field generation unit in the mouth when the tongue of the first user to which the magnetic field generation unit is attached is inserted into the mouth of the second user, wherein the control signal output device measures a magnetic field intensity of the magnetic field generation unit, calculates the position of the magnetic field generation unit in the mouth according to magnetic field intensities measured by the magnetic field sensors, generates a game control signal according to the calculated position, and transmits the generated game control signal to the game apparatus.

Abstract: A method of testing analog and digital paths of a pixel in a row of an imager, includes the following steps: (a) injecting first and second charges into the analog path of the pixel, wherein the first charge is in response to a light exposure, and the second charge is in response to a built-in test; (b) sampling the first and second charges to form an image signal level and a test signal level, respectively; and (c) converting, by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), the image signal level and the test signal level to form image data and test data, respectively. The method then validates the image data based on the test data.

Abstract: A fixed-source array test station provides a compact cost-effective high-throughput test bed for testing optical sensors that require stimulus at fixed angular positions. An array of fixed collimated sources at different angular positions in the sensor's FOV are positioned on a surface of a focal sphere at the effective focal length of a spherical lens and aligned along respective radial lines to the center of the spherical lens so that each said divergent optical beam is collimated by the spherical lens to form a collimated optical beam that overlaps the entire entrance pupil of the optical seeker. The sources are activated in accordance with an activation profile in order to calibrate or otherwise test the sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining an operational condition of a particle detection system including at least one sample inlet for receiving a sample flow from a monitored region. The method includes the step of conducting an upstream measurement of a flow rate through the at least one sample inlet.

Abstract: In a method for determining an output value of a sensor of automation technology, in a case in which the sensor has a non-linear characteristic curve K, which is pointwise specified, help points Hj are additionally produced according to a simple calculational specification. The output value is obtained from the input value via an interpolation of at least two points of the characteristic curve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a zero-bias error of a gyroscope, an apparatus for determining a zero-bias error of a gyroscope and a system including the apparatus. The method includes the steps of: a. obtaining a set of outputs of the gyroscope; b. determining a dispersion degree of the outputs; c. determining whether the dispersion degree satisfies a predetermined condition and performing the step of d or e based upon a result of the determination; and d. determining an average of the outputs as the zero-bias error of the gyroscope when the dispersion degree satisfies the predetermined condition; or e. obtaining another set of outputs of the gyroscope and repeating performing the steps of b to c on the another set of outputs when the dispersion degree does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for determining one or two parameters of a sensor system for detecting a gaseous sample. The sensor system comprises a light source to generate a light beam, a hollow waveguide to receive the light beam and the gaseous sample, and a detector to detect an absorption peak of the gaseous sample, where the length and inner diameter of the hollow waveguide satisfy relationships as disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for detecting abnormality of a current sensor operative to measure a charge or discharge current of a battery pack. The method comprises measuring current and voltage of the battery pack; and detecting abnormality of the current sensor by comparing variations in current and voltage over a predetermined time with a current reference value and a voltage reference value, respectively. According to the present invention, it is capable of improving reliability of the battery pack, and in case that the current sensor is out of order, of protecting the battery pack from dangerous accidents such as explosion.

Abstract: The present invention certifies control modules of engineered safety feature instruments for a power plant automatically. The control modules can be tested before storing or operating. The test is done with enhanced testing speed and saved cost. Thus, safety of the control modules is confirmed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting non-linear operation of a measuring device comprising an array of transducers and at least one receiver channel portion. The method comprises receiving measured signals through transducers of the array, processing the measured signals from the transducers through the receiver channel portion, combining the processed measured signals to produce a combined measurement signal, and detecting non-linearity of the combined measurement signal and non-linear operation of the measuring device by detecting saturation of the receiver channel portion. In one embodiment, the receiver channel portion comprises an analog-to-digital converter, a threshold is assigned to a digital output of the analog-to-digital converter, and saturation of the receiver channel portion is detected when the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter oversteps the assigned threshold. In one application of the invention, the measuring device is a non-destructive testing device.

Abstract: An onboard cooling system diagnostic strategy utilizes at least one temperature sensor fluidly positioned between an electronically controlled engine and a thermostat. The diagnostic algorithm operates by monitoring coolant temperature during engine startup. By comparing the actual coolant temperature during engine start-up to a predicted coolant temperature that should occur if no cooling system error is present, a cooling system fault condition may be identified. If a cooling system fault is detected, the diagnostic logic may activate the engine cooling fan or intrusively open an electrically controlled thermostat while monitoring the coolant temperature response to the intrusive action. If there is a substantial change in coolant temperature responsive to the intrusive action, this phenomenon can be utilized to correctly distinguish between a thermostat failure and a vehicle configuration error corresponding to an overcooled vehicle.

Abstract: A calibrator for field devices is provided. In one aspect, the calibrator has the ability to communicate in accordance with at least two process communication protocols, and tests an attached process connection before engaging communication. In another aspect, the calibrator includes isolation circuitry to facilitate compliance with at least one intrinsic safety requirement, while communicating with field devices using an all-digital process communication protocol. In another aspect, a method of calibrating field devices is provided which accesses device descriptions of the field devices to generate calibration tasks.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for evaluating the navigation performance of MEMS inertial sensors. The method uses MEMS inertial sensors static data signals to estimate the static sensor errors and combines them with a reference kinematic signal obtained through field testing of a high-grade inertial sensor. Such emulated field data may then be processed with the corresponding GPS data collected in the same or different field test to evaluate the navigation performance of the MEMS inertial sensors.